The British and Irish Lions will take on Australia in the first Test of their tour Down Under this weekend, live on talkSPORT.
Andy Farrell‘s side head into their opener against the Wallabies in perfect form, beating an AUNZ Invitational team 48-0 last time out.
That victory made it five in five since travelling to the other side of the world and now it’s time to begin the big battles.
This will be the Lions‘ first meeting with Australia, with a total of three Tests planned over a two-week period.
A win in the opening match, which is the two teams’ first clash since 2013, would provide a big boost for the rest of the tour.
Lions vs Australia: UK time and how to follow
The first Test match will take place on Saturday, July 19.
The game at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane is scheduled to kick off at 11pm UK time, which is 8pm locally.
talkSPORT will have live coverage of the action.
Our commentary team includes Andrew McKenna and Ben Kay plus Alex Cuthbert, David Campese and Alfie Reynolds.
To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream. You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
Fans can watch the action live on Sky Sports from 10am too.
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Lions vs Australia: Team news and lineups
Marcus Smith has defied expectations by winning a place on the bench for the Lions’ first Test against Australia, but Owen Farrell and Henry Pollock miss out on selection.
Tom Curry and Tadhg Beirne have been given the nod in the ferociously competitive flanker positions and, alongside number eight Jack Conan, form the biggest and most physical back row available to head coach Andy Farrell.
The team’s main source of creativity will be provided by an all-Scotland midfield trio of Finn Russell, Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones with the hard-running Bundee Aki having to settle for a replacement role.
Blair Kinghorn’s knee injury means Hugo Keenan is picked at full-back, with Smith providing cover at 15 and fly-half.
Lions: Keenan, Freeman, Jones, Tuipulotu, Lowe, Russell, Gibson-Park; Genge, Sheehan, Furlong. Itoje (C), McCarthy, Beirne, Curry, Conan
Replacements: Kelleher, Porter, Stuart, Chessum, Earl, Mitchell, M Smith, Aki
Australia: Wright, Jorgensen, Suaalii, Ikitau, Potter, Lynagh, Gordon, Slipper, Faessler, Alaalatoa, Frost, Williams, De Crespigny, McReight, Wilson (C)
Replacements: Pollard, Bell, Robertson, Hooper, Tizzano, McDermott, Donaldson, Kellaway
Lions vs Australia: What has been said?
Joe Schmidt has warned the Lions that Australia will still be competitive in Saturday’s clash despite the loss of Will Skelton and Rob Valetini.
When asked about the absence of the duo, Schmidt said: “I’d be pretty pragmatic and I’d hope that the team are as well. We try not to base our whole game around any individual. We share the load.
“I’d like to think that we can still go out – sharing Tom Lynagh’s quiet confidence – and put a game together that at least can keep the British and Irish Lions pretty honest on the day.
“If it was the last game of the series, Rob Valetini and Will Skelton would have been in the mix.
“But the risk you take if you put those guys out there and they’re not quite ready and you try to push them through, you might end up worse off.
“I wouldn’t say we’re taking a long-term view with them, but we just felt it was the most judicious decision at the time.”
The Lions on talkSPORT
talkSPORT has all of the British and Irish Lions matches live across the network. Eddie Jones is among the star-studded line-up leading the coverage Down Under
June 20, Dublin: Lions 24–28 Argentina
June 28, Perth: Lions 54-7 Western Force
July 2, Brisbane: Lions 52-12 Queensland Reds
July 5, Sydney: Lions 21-10 New South Wales Waratahs
July 9, Canberra: Lions 36-24 ACT Brumbies
July 12, Adelaide: Lions 48-0 ANZAC XV
July 12, Brisbane: Lions v Wallabies
July 22, Melbourne: Lions v First Nations and Pasifika XV
July 26, Melbourne: Lions v Wallabies
August 2, Sydney: Lions v Wallabies